Amnesty scheme for cars declared illegal by IHC

FBR ordered to impound 50, 000 vehicles, announce the bids for auctions.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court declared the previous government’s amnesty scheme for smuggled vehicles as illegal on Wednesday, Express News reported. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was ordered to impound 50, 000 vehicles and announce the bids for auctions.

The Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) issued on March 5 was declared to be void in the same ruling.

The scheme had sparked debate earlier this year, with FBR hoping to fetch Rs20 billion by getting smuggled vehicles registered while many spoke against the amnesty offer, believing it to be a political decision and an attempt to facilitate influential people in making money by legalising their illegal vehicles.

FBR spokesperson Asrar Raouf while talking to The Express Tribune, had maintained that the scheme was in the national interest and wouldn't encourage smuggling of vehicles.

FBR had begun the amnesty scheme for registration of smuggled vehicles, gathering almost 3 billion till March this year.